Chicago, Illinois – A colder and more active stretch of winter weather is expected to settle across northern Illinois beginning Thursday as a strong cold front pushes through the Midwest, bringing increasing snow chances and sharply colder temperatures that could impact travel through the weekend and into early next week.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, northern Illinois is expected to see near-normal precipitation through Monday, meaning snowfall will be intermittent rather than part of a single major storm. However, colder air moving in behind the front will allow any precipitation to fall as snow, with conditions favoring slick roads and icy travel at times.
The Chicago metro area, including Evanston, Oak Park, Naperville, and Aurora, is likely to see periods of light snow or snow showers, especially late this week and during the overnight hours. While snowfall amounts may remain modest, falling temperatures could cause snow to accumulate quickly on untreated surfaces. Areas closer to Lake Michigan may also see localized lake-enhanced snow bands develop at times, briefly reducing visibility.
Farther west and north, including Rockford, DeKalb, and McHenry County, snow chances may be slightly higher, with colder temperatures supporting better accumulation during passing snow bands. Gusty winds behind the cold front could also lead to blowing snow in open areas, particularly overnight.
Travel impacts are possible along major corridors such as Interstate 90, Interstate 94, Interstate 88, and Interstate 80. Bridges and overpasses are especially prone to icing as temperatures fall well below freezing overnight.
Residents are encouraged to prepare for winter driving, allow extra travel time, and monitor local alerts for changing conditions. This colder pattern is expected to persist into early next week, with additional advisories possible if snow coverage becomes more widespread.
